This year’s open enrollment period for health insurance starts on Sunday. If you’re not covered you have until Dec. 15 to get new insurance through Maryland’s Health Benefits Exchange. 

Jason Resendez, a healthcare strategist at Consumers for Quality Care, said nearly 75,000 Marylanders have lost health insurance because of the pandemic. 

“This is a really important time to think about what their healthcare options are given the risk that we're experiencing with COVID and with job loss,” Resendez said. 

Maryland expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. That means you qualify for Medicaid if your household income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. 

If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, there are still other options available through the Affordable Care Act. 

But Resendez said you should watch out for low-premium plans, like short-term limited duration insurance plans. 

“These plans look great on paper,” he said. “But when the rubber meets the road, oftentimes with these plans folks get hit with high bills when they actually need coverage.” 

The Exchange says Maryland’s health insurance rates have gone down since last year.